Race ace looking for funding

A budding racing driver is looking to secure funding in order to compete this year.

Jack Barlow finished sixth overall in the inaugural BRDC Formula 4 Championship last year and is once again looking to compete this season, though perhaps in sportscar racing after a promising test in a JRM Nissan GTR GT3 at Donington Park.

The 18-year-old from Pett performed terrifically in the short test, getting out on the National Circuit and managing to put in times close to that of the pro-drivers.

Barlow said: “It was an amazing experience, switching to a GT car, the aerodynamics were unbelievable. I put in some very quick times and was knocking on the door of the the pro driver times. A few people were a bit shocked by how fast I lapped after just 12 or so laps. I loved it - hopefully I will get some further tests.”

Barlow was in with a shot of claiming the overall F4 title heading into the final round at Donington before bad luck brought his challenge to an abrupt end.

He said: “At the start of the season I wasn’t expecting to be in that position at the end. But how it went in the final race was a massive disappointment for me, the team and everyone around me.

“All the luck turned against me. I had a problem in qualifying and then went off in the first race. By the third race I was too far down with too much going on ahead.”

One of the highlights of Barlow’s F4 title challenge came at Oulton Park last July when he claimed his second victory of the season after being unsure whether he had the funding to compete in the days leading up to the race.

“It was a big highlight for me as it was a last minute thing because of money and I came off on Friday, doing a lot of damage and not having the money to repair it,” he continued. “But I got my head down and ended up on pole. I thought ‘woah, what’s going on here’? I also got a couple of high finishes, but that was a big highlight.”

Anyone willing to offer any advice or wishing to enquire about sponsorship should make contact via email to paulbarlow1965@aol.co.uk